Today the Juncker Commission is officially starting its term of office that will run until 31 October 2019.

On this occasion, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: "Thanks to the democratic support of European citizens, the European Parliament and Heads of State and government, today the new Commission takes office. Now it's time to roll up the sleeves and get down to work. Europe's challenges cannot wait. As of today, my team and I will work hard to deliver Europe the new start we have promised. Together with a strong and experienced team I look forward to deliver for Europe during the next five years."

Background

"Europe's challenges cannot wait" – this is the motto of the day: It is the first time that a European Commission takes office on time since the first European Parliament hearings were introduced in 1994 under the Jacques Delors Commission.

The beginning of the mandate of the Juncker Commission marks the end of a long process leading up to the new European Commission. Following the first pan-European election campaign, Jean-Claude Juncker was proposed on 27 June by the European Council to the European Parliament as candidate for Commission President. The European Council thereby took the result of the elections to the European Parliament into account, as required under Article 17(7) of the Treaty on European Union.